Gear-shifting mechanism.



B. A. WALRATH.

GEAR SHIFHNG MECHANISM.

APPUCATIDN FILED MAR. l3. l9.

Patented Sept. 4, 1917.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3 rwwtom .H A. 'WALHA 777 B. A. WALRATH.

GEAR SHIFTING MECHANISM. APPUCATION FILED MAR. 1;. 19m.

1,239,435. 4 PatentedSept. 4,1917

4 SHEETS--SHEET 4.

H as 53 -Il' 25 22 E- IE UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BURTON A. WALBAT H, OF ROCK VALLEY, IOWA.

GEAR-SHIFTING MEG I-IHISM.

To all whom it may concern: v

Be it known that I, BURTON A. WALRATH, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Rock Valley, in the county of Sioux and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gear-Shifting Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to means for controlling the transmission gearing of motor-driven vehicles.

My invention has for its primary object the production of improved means whereby the speed ratio is changed by operation of the clutch-controlling means. I

Another object of the invention is the production of improved means whereby a gear may be selected while another gear is in operative relation with the main sh" "t and the former subsequently placed in operative position.

Arfurther object of the invention is the construction of an improved purely mechanical device of this class.

A still further object is the production of transmission controlling mechanism wherein the number of moving parts and the cost of production are materially reduced and the eriiciency is increased.

Withthese and several view, the invention, consisting in the con- .-:truction, combination and novel' arrangement of parts, will be fully understood from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this application and in .nhich like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, of; which Figure l sa.fragnie-ntary plan view of an automobile chassis equipped with mechanism constructed in accordance with my invention', Fig. 2 isa side elevation oflthesame; Fig. 3 is a plan view of the preierredjform oi selmqlor-lcver and quadrant; Fig. 4 is a \vl-l'ivai section taken on the line of. w a; Fi

Spool ire \ivw oi um preferred shifting mach.- msm. pautwlning cut :1 way uuillthe retractsnu spring; being omitted; Fig. 6 is a front Specification of Letters Patent.

other "obi sets in nieans for selecting a transmission element i l 2, 14 represents the main frame of an auto} is a n' enl urged isometric .perr.

f ciatcd. r

, Patented vSept. 4, 1917.

Application men March is, 1914. Serial 110.824,!56.

elevation of the same; Fig. 7. is an isometric perspective view of one of the cross members of the supporting frame and members assou r ciated therewith; Fig. 8 is a vertical section of the yoke locking mechanism; Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the cam-shaft swivel and cam-shaft, parts being cut away; Fig. 10 is a transverse section of the same taken on the line 10-10 of Fig. 9; Fig. 11 is a. side elevation of the shifting mechanism; Fig. 12 is a plan view of the same, the yokes being taken in horizontal sectionon the line 12-12 of Fig. 11; and Fig. 1 3is an enlarged isometric perspective view of the sliding lock-plate.

The embodiment selected for illustration is particularly adapted fornse in connection \Vll3l1 CBI'S employing the sliding-gear type, a; of transmission, yet I would not be understood as being limited tofthe specific strum, tin-c or application illustrated, for various modifications and alterations in'the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

The invention contemplates, broadly, I: mechanism including members movable to place the transmission elements into and out of operative relation with the main shaft, means for operating said members, and

as m

to be subse uently placed. in operation by operation 0 the clutch-controllingmeans, all of which will be presently made clear.

Referring now, particularly. to Figs. 1 and mobile chassis carrying the usual foot-hoard, n 15, and clutch-lever, 16,- mounted upon the,

clutch -leiger-shaft, 17, and retracted by the spring, 178. -;'Ille,steerini ;-D0$tis shown atw 1'9, and the transmi.ssiollcuse, at .20, is equipped with the customary.gear-shifting? 1,,

rods, 21 I v tructure ab ve described represents no part of the present inventaon btut sets forth those parts 015 an autqmoii dei-with which the device of inventiomiifiliassm The shitting mechanism is-sppbostmhupon. lull r 1 l limo s dim. i n;

The

angle-iron cross-members, 23,4, extending transversely of the chassis, the end portions of said cross-members being upwardly 1nclined and bolted, as at 23, to opposite side members of the chassis. The intermediate portions of the said cross-members are mterconnected b angle-iron bars, 24, which. serve as the si a, supporting members .of the mechanism.

A transverse shaft, 25, journaled for r otation and longitudinal movement within suitable bearings, 26, mounted, upon the frame, carries at one end a fixed crank, 27, normally forwardly and downwardly 1nclined and connected by a rod, 28, with a crank-arm, 29, mounted upon. the clutchlever-shaft. Thh rear portion ,of the rod 28 is curved under the frame. The wrist of the crank-arm 29- operates within a longitudinal slot, 30, in the connecting-rod whereby the clutch-lever-shaftmay be operated to perform its usual function prior to acting upon the shifting mechanism.

The length of the crank 27 should be such that the shaft 25 rocks a quarter turn durm a full stroke of theclutch-lever.

The shaft is retracted and held yieldabl V in normal position by a retracting spring, 3

secured at opposite ends to the crank an. frame.

A pin, or stud, 32, protruding from the collar of the crank, rests normally upon a bracket, 33, mounted on the frame and ear es as a normal stop. l

The opposite end of the shaft carries a swivel comprising a collar, 34, lnc losmg segments, 35, which freel engage an annular groove, .36 ,in the sha t. Opgositely-d sposed studs, 3i and 38, are three. ed through the collar and into the segments.

A horizontal plate, 39, is mounted upon the frame to move laterally to the shaft 25, saidffplate having a de ending flange, 40,

which slides adjacent t e cross-member 24 and is supported thereu on b flaiihc'alosed by a long: i -8.11 i stud, 38, protrudes through a diagonal 'islot' in.-;the plate whereby movement 1 of the latterjimparts longitudinal movement to the'shaft' 25.; The said slot'preferably consists of a series. of laterallyto the she and alined diagonally thereto.- Ea-clr slot communicates Wlth its neighbor by a. diagonal slot, c

To anupright bar, 45', carried on the forward and of the plate 89 is secured a connectin -rod, 46, the opposite end of which 15 pivotally-conneoted to an arm, 47 depending rom and pivotally secured to a bracket, 48, mounted on the under side of the footeboard. The said connecting-rod is connected by a link, 49, with a crank, 50, carried upon the lower end of a rod, 51, mounted parallel to knob, 58, protruding througfii 'the . cap-screws,

inal s ot, $2, in the ort slots, 43, disposed the steering-colunm and free to turn within a quadrant, 52, secured by straps, 53. in otherwise, upon the steering-post.

The upper end of the rod 51 is provided witha lever 54, (Figs. 3 and 4) which is olfset to pass the quadrant are. The lever han dle is provided wtih a longitudinal bore, 56, inclosmg. a pawl, 57, hav' a' controlling a slot 59 in A com ression-spring,"60, holds awl in yields le en gement with the qua rant which is provi ed with V-shaped notches,-R, 'N, L, I and H, which characters represent the respective speed ratios.

The selector-lever may be freely moved from point to point upon the quadrant, the pawl being self-acting. However, inorder to obviate accidents from careless operation, means are provided whereby the lever can not be moved to indicate reverse without first retracting the pawl by the controlling knob. This may be accomplished in an preferred manner, as by forming a tooth, 61 upon the quadrant, intermediate the neutral and reverse positions and adjacent the former.

'From the structure now disclosed it is clear that movement of the selector-lever, from oint to point upon the quadrant, will accor ingly. move the swivel-stud 38 from one to another of the slots 48 and thereby slide the shaft 25 longitudinally.

' In the present embodiment, when the selector-plate 39 is moved forwardl to select reverse, the forward'edge thereo will pass below the horizontal flange of the forward cross-member 22, and the upright-45 will be admitted in a transverse flange. (Fig. 12.)

The advantage of the arrangement of the slots 43 and 44, previously set forth, resides the handle.

slot, 62, in the said inthe fact that; movement of the selectorplate has no elfect upon the transverse shaft unless the stud 38 is engaged within one of the diagonal slots, as the slots 43 are somewhat longer than the diameter of the stud andare disposed longitudinally to the direction of travel of the plate. Were it not for this advantageoug feature, great care in the installation woul need be exercised in properly adjusting the arts which coact with the selector-lever in acting a gear tobe shifted.

.The shaft 25 is armed with oblong came, 63, 64 and 65, extending equal distances on opposite sides of the shaft. The cams are i The earns 63, 64 and 65 act upon suitable movable members to shift the gears to neutral position, and the cam 66 counts with said members to place the preselected gears in operative position. 7

These movable members, as preferabl constructed, comprise companion yokes, 6 and 68, each; formed integrally with forwardly and rearwardly' extending arms, 69 and 70, respectively, free to slidewithin suitable bearings, 71, mounted upon the frame. The arms, 7 0, are connected by links, 72, with the gear-shifting-rods, 21.

Normally the yokes centrally inclose the cam-shaft, the inner faces of the upright members with which the cams coact being spaced from the cam-shaft distances equal to the radii of the neutralizing cams.

The yokes are each divided vertically and each member engaged by the cam, 66, is oil'- set with respect to its mate on the opposite side of the shaft, which ermits engagement of one and passage 0 the other.

Referring, now, more particularly to Fig. 12, the yOkB, 68 has rear uprights, or posts, 73 and 4, the former of which is directly bpposite and connected with a forward post, 75, by upper and lower cross members, as 76; and the latter is connected with a diagonally opposite post, 77, by upper and lowcr cross-members 78. The post-75, it will be observed, is formed with an ex tended edge, 89, which addition makes the post relatively twice the Width of the other uprights. The said extended portion is alined with the space intermediate the posts 73 and 74:, and is the portion of the post, 75, which is engaged by the cam 64 toshift the yoke from reverse to neutral when low gear is chosen, as will presently appear. The intervening space between the posts 7 5 and 77 should. be twice the space between the opposite uprights, the uprights being spaced by distances either equal to, or multiples of the distance the cam-shaft is moved by each step of the sliding plate 39.

The yoke 67 is oppositely disposed to its companion but may be identical therewith in design. In the embodiment illustrated, however, the spaces between the uprights of the yoke 67 are equal, the purpose of the additional space in the yoke 68 being to permit the shifting-cam 66 in neutral position to freely pass the outer and inner sides of the posts 74 and 77, respectively.

If the yokes were alike and the shiftingcam positioned in neutral between them, this would necessitate an undesirable arrangement of the indications-upon the quadrant, inasriluch as. neutral would fall between L and When the selector lever is adjusted to in ,glieate reverse, theshaft 25 is shifted longitudinally to such position that the shifting cam 66 is in alinement with the upright 74 of yoke 68. The neutralizing cam 63 is in alinement with both the upright 7 4 and the extended portion 75 of the yoke 67. The cam 63 is thus in position for engaging the one or the other of the above members in case the yoke 67 occupies an operative position.

When the clutch lever is actuated by the driver, the clutch is first disengaged, the pin-and-slot connection to the gear shifting mechanism permitting this operation with out shifting the gear wheels of the transmission mechanism. Further actuation of the clutch lever causes a partial rotation of the shaft 25, and the neutralizing cam 63 effects the return of the yoke 67 to its neutral position, in case it had been previously shifted to one of its operative positions. The'yoke 68 is then shifted by the cam 66 to the position corresponding to reverse operation of the transmission mechanism. When the clutch lever is released, the springs 18 and 31 return the lever and shaft 25 to their respective inoperative positions. When the selector lever is adjusted to indicate 10W gear, alinement with the post 77 of the yoke 68 to shift the latter in the direction opposite the shifting cam 66 is in v to that above described. The neutralis ng i cam 63 is in alinement with the posts 73 and 75 of yoke 67 and the neutralizing cam 64 is in alinementwith the post 7 4 of yoke .68. The actuationyof the clutch pedal effects the change in speed ratio in the same, manner as that described above.

To shift to intermediate and high gears,

the cam shaft 25 is shifted to alinei the .a sliding docklate, 82, having a depepdlng flange, 83, w 'ch sli'dably .emhraceh the frame and is supported thereupon h'lv capscrews, 84, inclosed by a longitudinal slot, 85, 111 the flange The, platehas, a rearwardly-extending arm, 86- -ofi-set to pass the frame and has its terminal curved over the swivel of the cam-shaft and is provided with an opening, to receive the stud 37. By virtue of this arrangement the lock-plate travels in conjunction with the cam-shaft.

Upon the lock-plate are mounted paralle 1 be shiftedto Although. thec fltt lfiture set. forth is ap- 1 j ,theforwardarms suitable points: Y

' Having thus'dscribed my invention, what 'to the positions of said members, said element's each having cam-engageable posts disposed on opposite sides of the cams. said strips,'87, between which the bolts 80 are engaged when the yokes" are in neutral Or sition. The edges ofthe stfips are provi ed with beveled notches of varying lengths and properly positioned, with res ect to the positions assumed by the lock-p ate, to permit the lock-bolts to pass over and engage the opposite edges ofthe strips when the yokes are shifted. The edges of the strips opposite each notch are eft abrupt'preventmg retrograde movement of the yokes after shifting.

For example,-When the reverse gear is chosen, the notch R will register with the lock-bolt of yoke ,68 and permit the former to pass over the strip when the yoke is shift- .In similar manner the notch L permits the yoke to -be shifted oppositely. The notches I andlH accommodate the corresponding movements of the companion yoke. The beveled portions N permit the mixes to neutral, 4 1

plicable to only a iourglpeed transmission,

clearly any'nlirhherljbi con trolled by changing the Iiumberparts a1,- ready described.

is located in the forward portion of the car, .the connections therewithfmaybe made u on of theyoke or at any ot er I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is,.-

1. A device of the class described compris-' ing in combination withtclutcli-controlling means and gear-'shiftin able in opposite directions between two positions, and between either of said positions and an intermediate position, elements movable to positions corresponding to the posi- "tlons of the gear-shift1ng members to opcrate the said members, ashaft adapted to be turned by the clutch-controlling means,

cams 'of-,,varying radii; carried by said shaft .andoperable by turning of the shaft in one positions.

t5 etween eithenfof said positions an an in-v termediate position, elements movable ver, and; operab direction to move-any one of said elements ofsaid elements? one pin;

to its intermediate position and 2. Adeviee'of the class described comp 7 ing in combination with ,th'eclutch-leveriand gear-shiftin each movable in oposite directionstwo posi ns, and

to positions correspohdingto-the positions of the s ns i il. beret: a cam aft "'tnrned by the clutch-lele when turned in onevdirection to first '[move any-one. of said went! .l' oyits int rmediate position ,thenmove frame to move to l-combination with the .shif'ing members, each movable in opposite directions between two positions, and bep tweeneither of In instances where thetransmission case cams, elements connected with the members, each movslenibe recto operate said memany chosen one of said elements to a chosen one of said first positions.

3. In a device of the class described the combination with the clutch-lever and gearshifting members, each movable in opposite directions between two positions, and between either of said positions and an intermediate position, of a suitable frame, cams of varying radii carried by the frame, means controlled by the clutchlever for turning the cams, and elements connected with the gearshifting members and slidably carried by the positions corresponding to the positions ofsaid members, said elements each having cam-engageable posts disposed on opposite sides of the cams, said posts being engageable by certain of the cams to move the element to its intermediate position, and certain of said posts being engageable by certain of the cams to move the element to any chosen one of said first po sitions- In a device of the class described the clutch-lever and gearsaid positions and an intermediate posit on, of a suitable frame, cams of varying radii carried by the frame, means contro led by the clutch-lever for turning the gearby the corresponding shifting members and slidably carried me to move the positions posts being engageable by certain of the cams to move the element to its intermediate position, and certain of said posts being engageable by certain of the cams to move the element to any chosen one of said first positions, and means for placing any chosen ones otthe latter cams and posts in operative relationwith each other.

5. A device of the class describedcomprising in combination with clutch-controlling means and gear-shifting elements, a vcami-armed rock-shaft actuated by the If .Jsaid gear-shifting elemonth, le laterally to the rockoiigated slot disposed diagonal! the rock-shaft, a swivel mounted upon the rock-shaft and having for'moving'said late.

6. A device 10 the clam described com-', prising in combination withclutch'controlling means and gear-shifting elements each movable in opposite directions, a cam-armed rockshaft actuated by the clutch controlapart-engaged within said slot, and means 1 l tehecontrolling means; and movable 1ond'lll ,gsnemberscontrolledby said rockline Laneans and movable longitudinally,,

vehicles, the combination with transmissibn mechanisnifi'ncluding a pluralit of powertransmissiolrjgears, each move 1e between neutral operative ositions, andlgear- -shiftin e' lei'nent for said gears, of members movab e tog-positions corresponding to said neutral and operative positions for the control of said elements, turning mechanism y \engageablewithany selected one oi? said in diam ers, and, serving by movement in one ,direction, to move said selected iiiember to neutral position and to subsequently move any selected one .ofsaid'members to an operative position, means for placin the turn- Sing mechanism-in" engagement with any se- --lected one of said mem ers, and means for [actuating the turning mechanism,

12. In gear-shifting mechanism for motor-vehicles, the combination with transmis- 2o sion mechanism including power-transmission gears, each movable between neutral and operative positions, and gear-shifting elements for said gears, of mem ers movable to ositions corresponding to said nfitral an o erative positions for the control of said e ements, turning mechanism able with any selected one of saidmm, and adapted by a single rotativefiaovemeht' to move said selected member talcum-ri osition and to subsequently ew any selected one of said members to an operative position, means for placing said mechanism in engagement with any w one of said members, and means for ac uating the turnin mechanism. v 13 j n gear-shifting mechanism for motorvehicles, the combination with the clutch- --pedal 'and transmission mechanism includ- 1 mg power-transmission gears, each movable 40 between neutral and operative positions, and

gear-shifting elements for said gears, of members movable to positions correspondifng 'to said neutral and operative positions or the control of said-elements, turning mechanism controlled by the clutch-pedal and enageable withan'y selected one of said emers and I enable, during movement '0 the clutch-peda' in one direction, to move any selectedone of said members to neutral posiig tion and to subsequently move any selected one of said members to an o erative position,

and means for placing tli ,turning mecha- His? in engagement wlth any selected one of ajrsai members.

14. In gear-shifting mechanism for motoreh'icles, the combination with fihe clutehat al, and'transmission ,mechanism includ- "engageable with any selected TQ V Q i Said,

.erative ositions, and gear-shiftin the shifting of a E g power-transmission gears,- each movable i between neutral and operative positions, and ar-shiftin elements for the gears, of memtion, means controlled byfthe clutch-pedal for actuatin said turning mechanism, and

means for p acing said turnin mechanism in engagement with anyeselecte one of said members.

15. In gear-shifting mechanism for motorvehicles, the combination with transmission .mechanism including power-transmission gears, each movable to neutral and operative positions, and ar-shifting elements for said gears, of IIIBIIIEZIS movable to positions correspondin to said neutral and operative positions or the control of said elements, turning mechanism adapted by a'sin 1e rotative movement to move any selecte one of said members to neutral position. and to subsequently move any selected one of said memhere to an operative position, means for actuating the turning mechanism, and means for selecting the member to be moved.

16. In gear-shifting mechanism for motorvehicles, the combination with transmission 0 mechanism including power transmission gears each movable between neutral and 0p elements e to posito said neutral and operative positions for t e control of said elements, turning mechan' operable in one direction to move any sel ted one of said members to neutral position and to subsequently move any selected one of said members to an o erative position, means for actuating e turning mechanism, and means for selecting the member to bemoved.

17. In a ear-shifting mechanism, the combination with a plurality of shiftable transmission elements, of means for selectively controllinglsaid elements, said means com prising a s aft that is longitudinally adjust-- able to segect the elementtobe shifted and is rotatab e to shift said element, and means 1 for actuating said shaft.

18. Ina ar-shiftin mechanism the combination with a plurality of shiftable members, of means for selectively shifting said members froma neutral position, said means 1 comprising ashaft that is longitudinal adjustable to select the member to besli1fted and is rotatable to efiect the return of a; shifted member to its neutral position and:.

second memberto an opera: tive position. 1 f

19. In a gear-shift mechanism the combination with a lura ty of shiftable members, of means or selectiyel shifting said 1 members from aneutral pf 'tion, said means comprising a shaft that is ongitudinally adustable toselect the member to be shifted anelqis rotatable to efl'ect the return of a for sai gears, of members movab tions correspondin shifted member to its neutral position and the shifting of :i second member 1,0 an operw tive position by a continuous mnvument. and means for actuatin said shaft.

20. In a gear-sin ing mechanism, the combination with a plurality of shiftable trans-- mission elements, of means for selectively controlling said elemenfs, said means comprising a shaft that is longitudinally adjustable to select the element to be shifted and is rotatable to shift said element, indicating moans for actuating said shaft longitmli nalL g-nnd means mmnpi'ising a uintcliimdai lever for rotating, said shaft.

In testimony wlnawuf i have hereunto set, my hzind in presence of two subscribing witnssses.

BURTON A. W ALIZA'IU,

Witnesses V MILTON b. URANDALL, HELEN jmnuwic. 

